Cardinal faithfuls left the stadium, smiles plastered across their faces, after Landrum’s football team captured its first win of the season, 21-6, on homecoming night Friday, Sept. 26.

Coach Russell Mahaffey couldn’t say enough about both sides of his lineup.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and the way they played Friday night. I thought our defense did an outstanding job containing Carolina to just six points – they’ve got some dangerous athletes, so it was important for us to make the stops we did,” Mahaffey said.

LHS’ offensive combo of quarterback Aaron Bryant and Jacob Lanning connected twice – once in the first quarter and once in the second – to provide the Cardinals with plenty of positive energy.

“Jacob Lanning really made some big plays for us and Aaron Bryant had a big night both running and throwing,” Mahaffey said.

Bryant rushed for 127 yards and passed for 180. Bryant and Lanning connected for the Cardinal’s first touchdown early in the game on an 8-yard pass. They connected again for a 7-yard pass to make the game 14-0.

The Cardinals amassed a total 336 yards versus Carolina’s 152 total yardage. Landrum notched 17 first downs in their belt, only allowing Carolina to grab five first downs all evening. Bryant and Anthony Anderson connected for the Cardinal’s third score of the evening, sealing their 21-6 win.

Lanning and Jacob Corn were named offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively.

Turnovers certainly had an impact on both teams, with LHS turning the ball over three times and Carolina four times. Corn left his mark by grabbing two interceptions at critical yardage for Carolina, stopping drives that were making their way to the endzone.

Mahaffey said the Cardinals look to use this positive energy as a boost for the rest of the season.

“It’s always a better weekend and a better Monday after a win, so we hope to build from there,” Mahaffey said.

The Cardinals travel this weekend to Liberty.